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J. SPYKER. RESILIENT WHEEL.

APPLICA'HON FILED NOV. 13, 1914 Patented Aug; 15, 1916.

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RESILIENT WHEEL. APPL|CAT| 0N FILED Nov. 13. 1914.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

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JACOBUS SPYKER, 0F AMSTERDAIVT, NETHERLANDS.

IRESILIENT WHEEL.

Application filed November 13, 1814.

To (ZZZ whom 2'25 may concern:

Be it known that I, JAooBUs SPYKER, a subject of the Queen of the Netherlands, and residing at Sarphatistraat 1 Amsterdam, Netherlands, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Re silient Wheels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to resilient wheels of the type comprising a hollow outer wheel casing, an inner or propelling wheel, a resilient rolling surface in the form of studs projecting through holes in the outer wheel casing and an annular pneumatic cushion serving to hold the various parts together in operative relation one with another as claimed in my prior patent in the United States No. 1102811. i

It is the principal object of the presen invention to prevent, when the inner wheel is being displaced, the buckling or crinkling of the penumatic cushion in such a manner that parts thereof become squeezed between the shoulders of the inner wheel and the outer casing thus preventing them becoming cut or from bursting.

Another object of the present invention is to diminish the flexing of the peripheral surface of the pneumatic cushion.

A third object of the invention is to insure that w 1611 the inner wheel is charged with a load there will be a decrease of volume of the pneumatic chamber, or in other words a higher degree of compress10n is effected.

The invention consists in providing a flat transverse annularsurface on each side of the interior ofthe outer wheel casing to engage witheach s1de of the lnner part of the pneumatic cushlon, whereby the inner wheel taneouslyabsorb torsional stresses and per mi't the air cushion to make small recurring reciprocating movements during the running of the wheel; and whereby allcrinkling and buckling of the inner part offthe cushion at the upper part of the wheel is prevented,

and the compression isregnlated according to the'varymg load, the'volume of the pneumatic-cushion being simultaneously decreased inproportion to the load; Mo're'ovem according to the present lnvention the studs, arranged to work lndependently of one an I other, are of arched formation at their base Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 115, 15516.

Serial No. 871,891.

and are partly supported by the pneumatic cushion and partly by rigid shoulders formed on the outer wheel casing and const tuting a bridge, and each stud is arranged wlthin a short tubular member forming part of the casing, the arrangement being such that when the wheel is loaded, while the inner wheel moves to the full extent, the outer wheel casing is only permitted to make a limited movement.

The invention also consists in the combina tion of parts hereinafter described.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-section partly in elevavation of the entire wheel as constructed according to the invention and when unloaded, and Fig. 2 is a similar view when the Wheel is under a load. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one half of the wheel.

Referring to the drawings, a is the inner or propelling wheel mounted on the hub Z) in any suitable or usual manner, 0 is the annular pneumatic cushion and (Z the inclosing outer wheel casing.

According to the present invention the peripheral form of the inner member (1, Figs. 1 and 2 is of approximately V-shaped crosssection, the point of the V extending outwardly as at 70 while the supporting shoulder pieces Z are flat annular surfaces forming circular tracks or bands which preferably, although not necessarily, extend as shown at Z beyond the outer surface of the wheel cas ing. The outer casing 625 is correspondingly extended laterally as at m and the two on tensions Z we are joined together so as to constitute a continuous annular recess. The relative disposition of the surfaces 70 Z is such that a surface of easy slope is insured.

The following action will occur when the wheel is charged with a load. At the upper part of the wheel, the inner or propelling wheel a assumes a lower position, or moves out of the center. At the lower part of the wheel the inner or propelling wheel also assumes a lower position and moves deeper into the air chamber, the inner parts at the sides of the cushion moving away from the shoulders Z. Thus the displaced air within the pneumatic cushion passes from the lower to the upper part of'the wheel and causes the inner part of the pneumatic cushion at the top of the wheel to follow up the downward movement of the inner wheel, but the material forming the lower part of the pneumatic chamber instead of becoming crinkled and buckled will be smoothed or pressed easily and laterally outward in both directions so as to travel on the annular surface Z on each side which is of such a form that as the material passes on the said flat surface the two inner faces of the material move toward one another and almost touch so as to inclose is little space as possible as indicated at P.

By such an arrangement as described it is to be particularly noted that when the parts change from unloaded to loaded position, no

increase but a decrease in the volume of the pneumatic cushion occurs so that a thoroughly effective balling action is secured, this being due to the fact that the decrease in volume at the lower part of the wheel is proportionately higher than the illcrease in volume which occurs at the upper part of the wheel.

It is also to be noted that the inner walls of the cushion being unexposed to crinkling or buckling action which tends to impair their usefulness, are not subjected to any undesirable deformation but only perform a reciprocating movement laterally of the wheel. Moreover, free play is afforded by the surface Z to the small constantly recurring reciprocating movements of the cushion during the running of the wheel. It is also to be noted that owing to the shoulders Z permitting the pneumatic cushion to move in the manner described, that at the upper part of the wheel at the moment when the inner iro )ellin wheel is char ed with a load, the inner part of the pneumatic cushion 'wlll carry the load and act to regulate the decrease in volume that occurs in proportion to the load. In this way an important advantage is obtained, that in the case of heavy and sudden starting or by sudden braking at full power, the said circular shoulders provide an inner frictional collar-like support to progressively absorb the torsional stress since the pneumatic cushion as it were binds upon the shoulders thereby gaining strength and support. W hen the said sudden force is decreased, the shoulders and cushion will be progressively relieved.

Referring now to the flexible rolling surface or tread of the wheel, it is composed of a number of studs 77. which project through openings formed in the outer wheel casing d, the studs being formed lntegral with, or mounted upon, a bridge portion 0 all of e which form a supporting surface encircling the annular pneumatic cushion, 0, in the plane of the wheel.

In the modification shown these studs are integral with a bridge 0 which is of arched formation and has thickened edges 19, engaging pockets Q formed in the outer casing d. When the annular pneumatic cushion is inflated the bridge 0 is forced outward, the studs n thereon being projected radially through the openings therefor.

The studs have necks and heads of a formation which however does not form part of the present invention and comprises a constricted resilient neck portion 1 and a non-resilient portion .9 which is circumferentially bound with embedded canvas cord 23. Each stud n is disposed in an opening a formed in an annular member a passing around the wheel, each opening being of the form shown, that is to'say, of tubular formation with the wider end outward to re ceive air when the Wheel is unloaded. V

The constricted neck portion r and the surrounding surface of the corresponding opening is such that with the stud innormal position, an annular chamber 20 is formed,

having communication with the atmosphere and forms an air cushion through a somewhat narrow mouth, to form which, the part of the stud opposite thereto is thickened at a: with a view to lock the air in when load.

rest in the pockets 9 the intermediate part of the bridge being pressed outward by the annular cushion. When the wheel is loaded,

the inner wheel member a is free to move down to the full extent, whereas the'outer wheel will only be permitted to make a limited movement, owing to the outer casing moving down a small amount, owing to the action of ends 79 engaging the pockets q.

The studs forming the road surface are arranged to work separately with a base of arched formation and partly supported by the pneiunatic cushion and partly by rigid shoulders formed on the outer wheel casing to support the ends of the bridge,

each stud being arranged within a short tubular member forming part of the casing in such a way thatwhen the wheel is chargedwith aload, while the inner wheel moves to the full extent determined by the particular load, the outer wheel casing is-only permitted to make a relatively limited movement. 1 V

It will be understood thatthe outerrcasing may be made in anyrpreferredform so long as it permits of the arrangements above indicated being realized. In the formshown, the outer wheel casing comprises a ring-like member '2; secured in Lpositionbetween the edges of two disk-like plates 3/ forming the sides of the'wheel, which are secured together in any suitable way so as to also adequately secure the annular member. This latter member may be of any preferred material, such as aluminium, wood" or the like. r r

From the foregoing description it will be understood that as the wheel rotates the action of centrifugal force will tend to throw the studs outward after they have assumed an inner position under load, this efiect being increased by the influence of the pneumatic cushion behind them. It is also to be noted that a very firm support to the wheel is afforded by the arched bridge form on which the studs are mounted and that while a free movement of the inner wheel is al lowed for, only a limited movement of the outer wheel is permitted whereby any undesirable deformation of the studs is prevented and affording a rigid support for the wheel, but at the same time realizing a complete resilient tread effect necessary for such a wheel.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a yieldable wheel structure for ve hicles the combination with a hollow outer wheel casing, an inner wheel, a resilient rolling surface in the form of studs projecting through holes in the outer wheel casing and an annular pneumatic cushion serving to hold the parts together, of a flat transverse annular surface on each side of the inner part of the outer wheel casing.

2. In a yieldable wheel structure for vehicles the combination with a hollow outer wheel casing, an inner wheel, a resilient rolling surface in the form of studs projecting through holes in the outer wheel casing and an annular pneumatic cushion serving to hold the parts together, of a flat transverse annular surface on each side of the inner part of the outer wheel casing and an annular recess in each side wall of the outer casing opening into the interior thereof.

3. In a yieldable wheel structure for vehicles the combination with a hollow outer wheel casing, an inner wheel, a resilient rolling surface in the form of studs projecting through holes in the outer wheel casing and an annular pneumatic cushion serving to hold the parts together, of a flat transverse annular surface on each side of the upper part of the outer wheel casing and an annular recess in each side wall of the outer casing opening into the interior thereof adjacent the flat annular surfaces.

4. In a yieldable wheel structure for vehicles the combination with a hollow outer wheel casing, an inner wheel, a resilient rolling surface in the form of studs projecting through holes in the outer wheel casing and an annular pneumatlc cushion serving to hold the parts together, of a periphery for the inner wheel which is V-shaped in crosssection, the point of the V extending outward, a flat transverse surface on each side of the inner part of the outer wheel casing each terminating adjacent the shoulders of the inner wheel and an annular recess in each side wall of the outer casing opening into the interior thereof adjacent the flat a11 nular surfaces.

5. In a yieldable wheel structure for vehicles the combination with a hollow outer wheel casing, an outer wheel, a resilient rolling surface in the form of studs projecting through holes in the outer wheel casing and an annular pneumatic cushion serving to hold the parts together, of a periphery for the inner wheel which is V-shaped in cross section, the point of the V extending outward, a flat transverse annular surface 011 each side of the inner part of the outer wheel casing, each terminating adjacent the shoulders of the inner wheel, an annular recess in each side wall of the outer casing opening into the interior thereof adjacent the flat annular surfaces, the annular pneumatic cushion normally leaving the annular recesses vacant and contacting with the Hat transverse annular surfaces.

6. In a yieldable wheel structure for vehicles the combination with a hollow outer wheel casing, an outer wheel, a resilient rolling surface in the form of studs projecting through holes in the outer wheel casing and an inner pneumatic cushion serving to hold the parts together, of a periphery for the inner wheel which is V shaped in crosssection, 'he point of the V extending outward, a flat transverse annular surface on each side of the inner part of the outer wheel casing, each terminating adjacent the shoulders of the inner wheel, an annular recess in each side wall of the outer casing opening into the interior thereof adjacent the flat annular surfaces, the annular pneumatic cushion normally leaving the annular recesses vacant and contacting with the flat transverse annular surfaces, and a second annular recess in each side wall of the outer wheel casing for the reception of the sides of the said studs.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JACOBUS SPYKER.

Witnesses EUGENE NABEL, J. SoHoU'rnNER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. l 

